Toddlers are the most curious little creatures. They tend to observe everything and imitate whatever they see. That’s probably why they get excited about every new little thing they see or hear. While you want to enjoy those tiny moments with your kid, you also want to make sure they are safe. And the last thing you want to see is your child getting injured from a fall. Studies show that toddlers under the age of 3 are most likely to have accidents from falling out of a high chair. So keep reading below to find out how to keep your child safe in a high chair.
For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year or All About Toddlers collection
7 High Chair Safety Tips
Don’t Put Your Child in a High Chair without Supervision
It’s good practice for your toddler to sit on a high chair with good posture and comfort. But you need to keep a constant eye on them when they are sitting on a high chair, or even other high surfaces. For working moms it’s a real struggle to keep that perfect work-life balance. And we totally understand that. But whomever you are appointing to babysit your child, instruct them well so they don’t leave your little one unattended while using the high chair.
Safety Harness Is Crucial
Toddlers literally never stop moving. And you cannot control that. But what you can try to control is their safety while moving in a high chair. If the chair your child is in comes with a harness, then be sure to use it and buckle him up. Some high chairs come with 3 point or 5 point harnesses for ensuring your child’s safety. Usually the main three points are the shoulders, chest and lower hip area. The upper point buckles make sure your child is snug-fitted with the chair. The lower buckle stops your kid from slipping under the tray.
Teach Them the Basics First
Toddlers are the quickest when it comes to learning and picking up habits, both good and bad. That means, it is the perfect time for moulding their traits. So, try teaching them the basics about their self care and safety. You might have been focusing on letting them sit and eat on their own. Besides that, it is also important to tell them what they shouldn’t do and exactly why. Talk to them about not climbing onto tables, jumping off of a high chair, undoing their buckles, or other actions that could cause them to get hurt. Just remember that you are trying to warn them, not frighten them.
Purchase a Child-Friendly High Chair
As parents we want to give the best to our children. And when it comes to their safety we need to double check the products that we are buying. There are some amazing high chairs for counter height tables specifically designed for little kids. These high chairs are safe and offer to serve multi-purpose usage. Years ago mothers wouldn’t have had so many safe options to choose from. But now we do. So do your research and make the best selection for your little one.
Limit Playtime in the High Chair
Creative playtime is not only important, but also necessary for a little child as they learn a lot through playing. They learn communicating, decision making, and exploring their imaginations. That’s why you must not interrupt or discourage their playtime. But in an indirect manner you should always discourage your precious child not to play on a high chair, table, or any other high surface.
To be precise, if they start playing on their chair, you can gently put them down along with all their toys. Discourage them not to climb up or jump on their high chair in a sweet manner. Additionally, you should place the chair afar from the countertop or tables. Because, sometimes kids tend to kick it and push themselves back with the chair. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.
Routine for Using High Chair
Some children respond better to routine as this allows them to recognize what is coming next. For example, arrange their foods on the removable tray at the fixed time everyday and put them in their high chair. After a while, they will get used to the routine and slowly their mind will adopt the time and schedule of using a high chair.
Keep Checking on the Chair’s Stability
The CPSC has published a set of requirements that the manufacturers of high chairs must meet for stability and restraint systems. So, always check for the CPSC certification before buying a high chair, especially for the little one in your home. Depending on your kid’s age, height, and weight, the stability of a high chair will vary. So, when buying a suitable high chair, crosscheck its compatibility with your usage.
Final Words….
Little kids are heavenly blessings. Hopefully these seven safety tips will be helpful regardless of your child’s nature. With time and patience, you can slowly teach them manners, good behavior, and good meal-time practices. And getting them used to the safety measures when they are using a high chair, is one of the basics you will want to teach your little one.
For more on this topic, check out the full Baby’s First Year or All About Toddlers collection
